Nutrition and cardiovascular risk among mid-life adults: the role of self-efficacy

The process of aging can bring forth health-related challenges, specifically an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This thesis examines the effect of self-efficacy on changes in nutrition behaviour in an intervention aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk in mid-life persons (aged 45-64). The construct of self-efficacy refers to beliefs in our capabilities to undertake the actions necessary to produce a given goal. This psychological construct has shown to be a mediator between various determinants of health and subsequent health behaviour. Social Cognitive Theory lays the groundwork for examining self-efficacy. Undertaking a secondary data analysis of the Cardiovascular Health Best Practice Project, this study examines self-efficacy in both a general health and nutrition health context. Results show that nutrition self-efficacy, income, mutual aid, and family physician visits play a role in changing nutrition behaviour over time, contributing to the understanding and development of research and nutrition health promotion programs for this population.